This Saturday BotP headed back up to the Midlands for a massive South Birmingham derby in Division Two of the Midlands Football League, with table-toppers Northfield Town making the short journey over to second placed Cadbury Athletic. So, after a nervy morning watching my daughter's team score a 90th minute winner in a cup quarter-final, I headed up the M40, destination Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, a new ground to me. Neither of these teams were new to me and, in fact, I had seen them both play at home in that, but before Cadbury moved to the rugby club. My last visit to Cadbury was in 2023 when they defeated Boldmere Sports 7 Social Falcons 7-0 in front of the iconic Edwardian sports pavilion (Cadbury's Spectacular Seven). My visit to Northfield was, however, much more recent. I was there between Christmas and New year to see their 4-1 home win over Bolehall Swifts (Third Time Lucky)
At the start of play today, Northfield held a 10-point lead over The Chocolate Men, although Cadbury did have two games in had, making this a particularly important game for both teams. A win for Athletic would close the gap to seven, with the possibility of that becoming one if Cadbury could win their games in hand. A win for Town would give them a massive 13-point advantage with 10 games to play.
Cadbury were also coming into the game with an unbeaten home record, although Northfield were yet to taste defeat on the road. Both teams had only lost once this season. Tellingly, Cadbury's defeat came at the hands of Northfield, who beat them 2-0 at Shenley Lane back in December, a game that saw Athletic reduced to 10 when Alex Considine picked up two yellow cards.
Thanks to the match officials for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. Very much appreciated
At the start of play today, Northfield held a 10-point lead over The Chocolate Men, although Cadbury did have two games in had, making this a particularly important game for both teams. A win for Athletic would close the gap to seven, with the possibility of that becoming one if Cadbury could win their games in hand. A win for Town would give them a massive 13-point advantage with 10 games to play.
Cadbury were also coming into the game with an unbeaten home record, although Northfield were yet to taste defeat on the road. Both teams had only lost once this season. Tellingly, Cadbury's defeat came at the hands of Northfield, who beat them 2-0 at Shenley Lane back in December, a game that saw Athletic reduced to 10 when Alex Considine picked up two yellow cards.
Thanks to the match officials for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. Very much appreciated
Cadbury threaten As you would expect in such an important contest, the opening minutes were very cagey with both sides keeping things tight and not wanting to be the first to concede. Having said that, even with few chances, the first quarter of an hour seemed to fly by.
The visitors were the first to create an opening when Adam Garmson managed to get a header on target in the 17th minute. However, it was a comfortable save for Fraser Oliver. At this point it was still a very evenly balanced game, but Northfield were beginning to up their game.
It looked like it may take something special to break either defence down and, just past the midway stage of the half, that's exactly what happened. Northfield were awarded a free-kick some 30 yards out which Adam Garmson stepped to take, sending an absolute screamer flying into Oliver's top left corner. 0-1
The goal certainly gave the visitors a little extra boost and, whilst not dominating the ball, they were certainly on top at this point. Cadbury were struggling to make many inroads against a very well organised Town defence.
Thomas Walker, in the Northfield goal, did have to be quick off his line in the 34th minute, winning the footrace to clear before Wade Malley could latch onto a through ball. That aside, the Town stopper didn't have too much to deal with. Although, deep into added time, he was left helpless as a ball flashed across the face of his goal only inches from two purple-shirted players flying. Neither could get a touch and very soon afterwards the referee drew a close the first half.
HT Cadbury Athletic 0 Northfield Town 1. A very tight encounter between two well-matched sides. The only difference so far being a piece of individual brilliance.
The visitors were the first to create an opening when Adam Garmson managed to get a header on target in the 17th minute. However, it was a comfortable save for Fraser Oliver. At this point it was still a very evenly balanced game, but Northfield were beginning to up their game.
It looked like it may take something special to break either defence down and, just past the midway stage of the half, that's exactly what happened. Northfield were awarded a free-kick some 30 yards out which Adam Garmson stepped to take, sending an absolute screamer flying into Oliver's top left corner. 0-1
The goal certainly gave the visitors a little extra boost and, whilst not dominating the ball, they were certainly on top at this point. Cadbury were struggling to make many inroads against a very well organised Town defence.
Thomas Walker, in the Northfield goal, did have to be quick off his line in the 34th minute, winning the footrace to clear before Wade Malley could latch onto a through ball. That aside, the Town stopper didn't have too much to deal with. Although, deep into added time, he was left helpless as a ball flashed across the face of his goal only inches from two purple-shirted players flying. Neither could get a touch and very soon afterwards the referee drew a close the first half.
HT Cadbury Athletic 0 Northfield Town 1. A very tight encounter between two well-matched sides. The only difference so far being a piece of individual brilliance.
Walker makes a save The home side began the second half with a renewed vigour and, seven minutes in, almost got themselves back on level terms when Callum Burston-Keeley's well-struck free-kick almost deceived Walker. Maybe the ball took a deflection or maybe it just swerved. Whatever the case, the Northfield keeper was forced to readjust and make a good save with his feet to keep the ball out. Five minutes later, however, Walker was left powerless. Once a gain the initial threat came from Burston-Keeley, who drove up the left before sending over a low ball that wrong-footed the defence. The ball was only half-cleared, straight into the path of John Baker, who smashed the ball back past Walker. 1-1
Northfield's response was almost immediate when Lewis McPike's shot looked to be goal-bound before purple captain James Morris rose to head clear. That was just past the hour mark. Five minutes later, the visitors got their noses back in front when a low cross from the left was met at the near post by Adam Garmson. 1-2
Back in front, Northfield looked to consolidate their position as the game began to get that little bit more feisty. No-one wants to lose a local derby and the passion from both sides was clear to see, both on the pitch and on the benches. A couple of debateable offside decisions going against the home side did little to cool down the tensions either. Both happened directly in line with me and I can say the second call was definitely offside, The first, however, when Burston-Keeley was set free, looked well on from my angle.
With ten minutes to go, Northfield came within inches of sealing the points when James Ward's dipping drive beat Oliver, but crashed back off the bar. The, with six minutes left, things really started to heat up. First of all Northfield manager Ryan Smith was sent off for some rather vociferous comments to one of the assistants. A minute later Smith could, and should, have been even more upset. Cadbury attacked up the left again and when the ball fell into the path of James Morris, some 8 yards out, the Athletic captain somehow managed to clip the bar when, in all honesty, he should have buried the chance.
With a minute to go, Cadbury were then reduced to ten when Dean Fisher was sin-binned for, presumably, comments made to the referee. Almost immediately after the restart, there was another flashpoint when Alex Considine clattered McPike on the edge of the box, sparking a small melee, which the referee quickly dealt with.
FT Cadbury Athletic 1 Northfield Town 2. Well, from a neutral's perspective, what a great game. A thunderous 30 yard free-kick, crunching tackles across the park, two highly-committed teams, a sin-binning, a red card and a whopping 196 spectators. Brilliant entertainment.
So, where does that that leave us? Well, Northfield now hold a 13 point lead from Cadbury, who are now being chased hard by Birmingham United, three points behind after walloping Coventrians 9-1. I'm sure Northfield are not counting their chickens just yet, but it's hard to see them being caught now, especially as they have now won ten on the bounce and have only dropped two pints since mid-August. Next up, Cadbury make the trip to Tamworth to take on 10th placed Bolehall Swifts who they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture. Northfield have a home Birmingham FA Vase match with Division 3 side, AFC Balsall.
Cadbury Athletic: Oliver, Gumbley, Cooke, Brooks, Morris(c), Considine, Froggatt, Fisher, Malley, Baker, Burston-Keeley. Subs: Alison, Maddocks, McGinn, Manning, Mudie
Northfield Town: Walker, Green, Tabberner, McPike, Ashmore, Wood, Ward, Westwood(c), Bourn, Garmson, Forbes. Subs: MacDonald, Wells, Need, Prince
Northfield's response was almost immediate when Lewis McPike's shot looked to be goal-bound before purple captain James Morris rose to head clear. That was just past the hour mark. Five minutes later, the visitors got their noses back in front when a low cross from the left was met at the near post by Adam Garmson. 1-2
Back in front, Northfield looked to consolidate their position as the game began to get that little bit more feisty. No-one wants to lose a local derby and the passion from both sides was clear to see, both on the pitch and on the benches. A couple of debateable offside decisions going against the home side did little to cool down the tensions either. Both happened directly in line with me and I can say the second call was definitely offside, The first, however, when Burston-Keeley was set free, looked well on from my angle.
With ten minutes to go, Northfield came within inches of sealing the points when James Ward's dipping drive beat Oliver, but crashed back off the bar. The, with six minutes left, things really started to heat up. First of all Northfield manager Ryan Smith was sent off for some rather vociferous comments to one of the assistants. A minute later Smith could, and should, have been even more upset. Cadbury attacked up the left again and when the ball fell into the path of James Morris, some 8 yards out, the Athletic captain somehow managed to clip the bar when, in all honesty, he should have buried the chance.
With a minute to go, Cadbury were then reduced to ten when Dean Fisher was sin-binned for, presumably, comments made to the referee. Almost immediately after the restart, there was another flashpoint when Alex Considine clattered McPike on the edge of the box, sparking a small melee, which the referee quickly dealt with.
FT Cadbury Athletic 1 Northfield Town 2. Well, from a neutral's perspective, what a great game. A thunderous 30 yard free-kick, crunching tackles across the park, two highly-committed teams, a sin-binning, a red card and a whopping 196 spectators. Brilliant entertainment.
So, where does that that leave us? Well, Northfield now hold a 13 point lead from Cadbury, who are now being chased hard by Birmingham United, three points behind after walloping Coventrians 9-1. I'm sure Northfield are not counting their chickens just yet, but it's hard to see them being caught now, especially as they have now won ten on the bounce and have only dropped two pints since mid-August. Next up, Cadbury make the trip to Tamworth to take on 10th placed Bolehall Swifts who they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture. Northfield have a home Birmingham FA Vase match with Division 3 side, AFC Balsall.
Cadbury Athletic: Oliver, Gumbley, Cooke, Brooks, Morris(c), Considine, Froggatt, Fisher, Malley, Baker, Burston-Keeley. Subs: Alison, Maddocks, McGinn, Manning, Mudie
Northfield Town: Walker, Green, Tabberner, McPike, Ashmore, Wood, Ward, Westwood(c), Bourn, Garmson, Forbes. Subs: MacDonald, Wells, Need, Prince
Birmingham Moseley Rugby CLub
The Ground
Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club is situated in the Billesley area of South Birmingham and is part of a multi-sport complex that includes a tennis and fitness centre, indoor bowls and a new Padel club. There's a large car park in front of the main pitch with access to the ground via a series of turnstiles. All of the facilities are on the opposite side of the ground from the entrance. A large clubhouse, bar and snack bar and an impressive main stand, straddling the halfway line, that provides ample covered seating. There's even an electronic scoreboard at one end of the ground. Obviously, the pitch is shared between the rugby club and the football club. However, the surface looked to be in very good condition, especially when considering the recent weather conditions. Opposite the ain stand there are two dugouts separated by what looked like a bus stop shelter.
Ground Number: 476
Att: 196
Entrance: £5.00
Programme:
Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club is situated in the Billesley area of South Birmingham and is part of a multi-sport complex that includes a tennis and fitness centre, indoor bowls and a new Padel club. There's a large car park in front of the main pitch with access to the ground via a series of turnstiles. All of the facilities are on the opposite side of the ground from the entrance. A large clubhouse, bar and snack bar and an impressive main stand, straddling the halfway line, that provides ample covered seating. There's even an electronic scoreboard at one end of the ground. Obviously, the pitch is shared between the rugby club and the football club. However, the surface looked to be in very good condition, especially when considering the recent weather conditions. Opposite the ain stand there are two dugouts separated by what looked like a bus stop shelter.
Ground Number: 476
Att: 196
Entrance: £5.00
Programme:
Garmson's free-kick flies in
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